How an orange can ACTUALLY reduce your pain and anxiety levels in labour
Ok, maybe don't go filling your hospital bag with a pack of 'easy peelers' just yet, but I've been reading into the research behind aromatherapy use during birth this week, (you know I'm a sucker for a bit of evidence) and it's showing some exciting things. In several of the trials using aromatherapy oils, it was shown to reduce a mother's perception of both pain and anxiety (which, as we all know through hypnobirthing are directly related anyway)- and in some cases reduce the overall length of labour and bring down a raised blood pressure too! (The research has also shown that there are no current known adverse effects from using the oils below).
So, what do you need and how can you use it?
Oils can be used in a variety of ways:
Put a couple of drops onto a muslin or cloth and inhale as required.
Add to a carrier oil, like coconut oil (1-2 drops per table spoon) and use for massage or on the skin.
Add to a steam diffuser to inhale in the air.
Add 4-5 drops to 1tbsp of salt or milk and add to a bath during pregnancy. (Not such a good plan in labour as once on your skin it can be hard to get rid of if you decide you don’t like it)
And which Oils should we be using?
Finding oils that you like the smell of can help in the first instance- smell is a very strong memory trigger, and can work as a relaxation trigger if it reminds you of feeling calm. The research looked into the following oils and found them helpful for the following things-
Rose- Reduce anxiety and pain
Lavender- Reduce anxiety and pain
Citrus- Reduce anxiety and pain
Sweet Orange Peel- Reduce anxiety and pain
Bitter Orange- Reduce anxiety and pain
Geranium- to reduce blood pressure
Peppermint- Some mothers have reported this helping with nausea
Clary Sage- Some mothers and midwives have reported this bringing back surges after labour has stalled- (for this reason it's not safe to use before 37 weeks in pregnancy).
Always follow the guidelines from the manufacturer for safe use in pregnancy or consult a professional aromatherapist- and discuss birth preferences with your midwife or doctor.
To read more hints and tips for a positive birth experience read more here.
If you are interested in taking the next step to a positive birth, Positively Birthing Hypnobirthing and Antenatal Classes run throughout Surrey and SW London- areas including Surbiton, Esher, Teddington, Cobham, Twickenham, St Margarets, Thames Ditton, Molesey, Richmond, Wimbledon, Kingston, Sunbury, Epsom, Ewell, and beyond. All bookings can be made here.
For More info visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/aromatherapy-for-pain-relief-during-labor/
Resources
Burns, E.E., Blamey, C., Ersser, S.J., et al. (2000) An investigation into the use of aromatherapy in intrapartum midwifery practice. J Altern Complement Med 6:141–147.
Hamdamian, S., Nazarpour, S., Simbar, M., et al. (2018). Effects of aromatherapy with Rosa damascena on nulliparous women’s pain and anxiety of labor during first stage of labor. J Integr Med. Mar;16(2):120-125.
Hekmatpou, D., Pourandish, Y., Farahani, P.V., et al. (2017). The Effect of Aromatherapy with the Essential Oil of Orange on Pain and Vital Signs of Patients with Fractured Limbs Admitted to the Emergency Ward: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Indian J Palliat Care. Oct-Dec;23(4):431-436.
Johnson, K., West, T., Diana, S., et al. (2017). Use of aromatherapy to promote a therapeutic nurse environment. Intensive Crit Care Nurs. Jun;40:18-25. Click here.
Kaviani, M., Maghbool, S., Azima, S., et al. (2014). Comparison of the effect of aromatherapy with Jasminum officinale and Salvia officinale on pain severity and labor outcome in nulliparous women. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. Nov;19(6):666-72.
Kheirkhah, M., Vali Pour, N.S., Nisani, L., et al. (2014). Comparing the effects of aromatherapy with rose oils and warm foot bath on anxiety in the first stage of labor in nulliparous women. Iran Red Crescent Med J. Aug 17;16(9):e14455.
Lakhan, S. E, Sheafer, H, & Tepper, D. (2016).“The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Reducing Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” Pain Research and Treatment, vol. 2016, Article ID 8158693, 13 pages.
Namazi, M., Amir Ali Akbari, S., Mojab, F., et al. (2014a). Effects of citrus aurantium (bitter orange) on the severity of first-stage labor pain. Iran J Pharm Res. Summer;13(3):1011-8.
Namazi, M., Amir Ali Akbari, S., Mojab, F., et al. (2014b). Aromatherapy with citrus aurantium oil and anxiety during the first stage of labor. Iran Red Crescent Med J. Jun;16(6):e18371.
Rashidi-Fakari, F., Tabatabaeichehr, M., Kamali, H., et al. (2015). Effect of Inhalation of Aroma of Geranium Essence on Anxiety and Physiological Parameters during First Stage of Labor in Nulliparous Women: a Randomized Clinical Trial. J Caring Sci. Jun 1;4(2):135-41.
Rashidi-Fakari, F., Tabatabaeichehr, M., & Mortazavi H. (2015). The effect of aromatherapy by essential oil of orange on anxiety during labor: A randomized clinical trial. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. Nov-Dec;20(6):661-4.
Smith, C.A., Collins, C.T., & Crowther, C.A. (2011). Aromatherapy for pain management in labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Jul 6;(7):CD009215.
Tanvisut, R., Traisrisilp, K., & Tongsong, T. (2018). Efficacy of aromatherapy for reducing pain during labor: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet. Feb 3.
Yazdkhasti, M. and Pirak A. (2016). The effect of aromatherapy with lavender essence on severity of labor pain and duration of labor in primiparous women. Complement Ther Clin Pract. Nov;25:81-86.